Nets trade Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson to Orlando Magic

We wrote in today's paper (Thursday, June 25) that Nets president Rod Thorn wouldn't make a major move unless they got a major player in return or were able to move a bad contract.

They achieved one of those objectives as they moved Vince Carter's contract. Carter had $37.6 million left on his deal, with $4 million in the form of a buyout.

Moving Carter practically guarantees the Nets will miss the playoffs next year. That doesn't mean the move wasn't a good one. The Nets had been trying to move Carter and his massive contract for nearly two years. With Carter's money gone, it opens the door for the Nets to make a big acquisition at the trade deadline or even in off season.

As for the other side of the trade, the Nets get former Cardozo star Rafer Alston, Courtney Lee and Tony Battie. Alston gives the Nets a quality backup or even a point guard who can start along side Devin Harris. Lee showed a lot of promise his rookie season with Orlando and could flourish.

Tony Battie gives the Nets another frontcourt body.

Although part of the reasoning of this move was to free cap space, Nets ownership has been cutting costs to gear up for construction of the new arena. That could mean a couple of tough years if team president Rod Thorn isn't given the financial flexibility to make some big moves.